Bougainville House of Representatives (BHOR) Specialist

UNDP, in partnership with the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville House of Representatives (BHOR), has commissioned a project aiming at strengthening various aspects of both institutions. Recognizing the critical importance of both institutions to democratic governance, the Parliamentary Strengthening Project – Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, (herein the ‘Project’) works with both legislatures to:

• Support Members of the BHOR and National Parliament legislature to more effectively use their parliamentary powers to engage in debate and oversight of national development activities, concerning critical topics such as improving public financial management, gender equality, reducing poverty through inclusive economic development, and building disaster and climate resilience, in particular through the use of Parliamentary Committees.
• Strengthen the capacities of Parliamentary Committees in both legislatures to undertake effective oversight of key government sectors, through transparent processes aimed at including the perspectives of communities, particularly women, in their deliberations.
• Strengthen the capacities of key parts of the Parliamentary Service to assist their Members to discharge their mandates, in particular: (i) committee secretariat staff who assist committees to do their work (ii) research and library staff who can support MPs to take effective action on key issues by keeping them well-informed; (iii) public communications and outreach staff who can work with MPs and within the Secretariat to more effectively engage the public in the work of the BHOR; and (iv) parliamentary ICT infrastructure.

UNDP is now seeking to engage a BHOR Specialist to work with a small team to deliver a range of activities in support of these outcome areas. The BHOR Specialist will be based in Bougainville with regular travel to other sub-national locations in Papua New Guinea. 

The BHOR Specialist will be required to provide the following services as a minimum:

• Advise and support the CTA and Project Manager to implement activities with the National Parliament, by focusing on:
• Advise and support BHOR core functions of law-making, oversight, and engagement. 
• Advise and support on BHOR institutional frameworks, secretariats, and staff.
• Guide on BHOR role in the implementation and monitoring of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Implement mainstreaming and women’s political participation and leadership in BHOR work.
• Advise on Parliamentary openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and citizen engagement.
• Support the implementation of sustainable capacity development approaches, including mentoring, accompaniment, staff development exchanges, and South-South exchanges.
• Guide and support BHOR parliamentary corporate planning and related Secretariat development activities. 
• Facilitate the national, regional, and international transfer of know-how and experiences in the area of parliamentary development. 
• Provide direct policy advice and briefings on parliamentary-related issues.
• Guide and support drafting the development of key knowledge products.
• Harness ICTs and other innovative approaches and tools to facilitate parliamentary accountability and transparency and public engagement.
• Inform parliamentary stakeholders on selected topics in areas covered by the project as required.
• Participate in project-level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups as per project document and AWP;
• Guide and support organization of Project Board Meetings and support timely preparation of background materials, and minutes as per UNDP SOPs.
• Ensure that UNDP’s corporate interest and rules are guarded at all times and that appropriate action is immediately taken to address problems and challenges.
• Ensure capturing and dissemination of lessons learnt during project implementation.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.